Southern NSW Research Articles

A range extension for the endangered Grey Snake Hemiaspis damelii (Günther 1876) in the Murrumbidgee catchment, southern NSW

A range extension for the endangered Grey Snake <i>Hemiaspis damelii</i> (Günther 1876) in the Murrumbidgee catchment, southern NSW

Does electronic medical record redesign increase screening of risk for pressure injury, falls and substance use in the Emergency Department? An implementation evaluation

BackgroundFollowing the provision of urgent care, screening for risks known to impact patient outcomes is an extension of safe emergency nursing care, in particular for falls, pressure injury and substance use. Screening is a process that primarily aims to identify people at increased risk for specific complications. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the implementation of a consolidated electronic checklist on the screening completion rates for falls, pressure injury and substance use in a regional health district. MethodsThis pre-post study used emergency data from four Emergency Departments (EDs) in southern NSW, Australia between November 2016 and February 2019. Patient characteristics, triage category, discharge diagnosis, arrival date and time, screening completion date and time and treatment location were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the presentations. Z test with adjusted p-values using Bonferroni Correction method was used to compare the characteristics of the presentations and the rates of screening completion. The Theoretical Domains Framework was used to identify any deficits in the implementation. ResultsThere were 33,561 patients in the pre and 35,807 in the post group. There were no differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. The mean emergency department (ED) length of stay was unchanged (490.5min pre vs 489.9min post). The proportion of patients who had all three screens completed increased from 1.3% to 5.5% (p<0.001). Pressure injury risk screening increased from 46.6% (pre) to 53.1% (post) (p<0.001) as did substance use screening (1.7% vs 12.4%, p<0.001). Screening was strongly associated to which hospital the patient was admitted, their age and ED length of stay. Of the 51 mapped intervention functions, 20 (39%) were used in the implementation. ConclusionsThe introduction of a consolidated electronic checklist for use by emergency nurses to complete fall, pressure injury and substance use screening resulted in an overall increase in risk screening. However screening rates remained poor. Implementation that considers the capability, opportunity and motivation of those that need to alter their behaviour would likely improve the overall compliance.

Growth Rates of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Weaner Angus Cattle in BVDV Endemic Herds in Southern NSW

Growth Rates of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Weaner Angus Cattle in BVDV Endemic Herds in Southern NSW

Estimating the density of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies using trapped drones: area sampled and drone mating flight distance

Reliable information on Western honey bee colony density can be important in a variety of contexts including biosecurity responses, determining the sufficiency of pollinators in an agroecosystem and in determining the impacts of feral honey bees on ecosystems. Indirect methods for estimating colony density based on genetic analysis of sampled males are more feasible and cost efficient than direct observation in the field. Microsatellite genotypes of drones caught using Williams drone trap are used to identify the number of colonies (queens) that contributed drones to a mating lek. From the number of colonies, the density of colonies can be estimated based on assumptions about the area from which drones are drawn. This requires reliable estimates of drone flight distance. We estimated average minimum flight distance of drones from feral colonies along two 7-km transects in Southern NSW, Australia. We found that drones from feral colonies flew at least 3.5 km to drone traps. We then determined that the maximum distance that drones flew from a focal colony to a trap was 3.75 km. We conclude that a drone trap samples an area of 44 km2, and that this area should be used to convert estimated colony numbers to colony densities. This area is much greater than has been previously assumed. The densities of honey bee colonies in Grong Grong and Currawarna, NSW, are 1.38–2.73 and 1.31–3.06 colonies/km2 respectively.

Assessment of genetic structure among Australian east coast populations of snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Sparidae)

Snapper Chrysophrys auratus is a high-value food fish in Australia targeted by both commercial and recreational fisheries. Along the east coast of Australia, fisheries are managed under four state jurisdictions (Queensland, Qld; New South Wales, NSW; Victoria, Vic.; and Tasmania, Tas.), each applying different regulations, although it is thought that the fisheries target the same biological stock. An allozyme-based study in the mid-1990s identified a weak genetic disjunction north of Sydney (NSW) questioning the single-stock hypothesis. This study, focused on east-coast C. auratus, used nine microsatellite markers to assess the validity of the allozyme break and investigated whether genetic structure exists further south. Nine locations were sampled spanning four states and over 2000km, including sites north and south of the proposed allozyme disjunction. Analyses confirmed the presence of two distinct biological stocks along the east coast, with a region of genetic overlap around Eden in southern NSW, ~400km south of the allozyme disjunction. The findings indicate that C. auratus off Vic. and Tas. are distinct from those in Qld and NSW. For the purpose of stock assessment and management, the results indicate that Qld and NSW fisheries are targeting a single biological stock.A

Digital soil monitoring of top- and sub-soil pH with bivariate linear mixed models

Intensive agricultural management practices and fluctuating rainfall patterns have the potential to significantly impact the status and change of important soil properties. This study looks at the change in soil pH during a 13-year period in a semi-arid, irrigated cotton-growing region in the lower Lachlan River valley in southern NSW, Australia under various land uses. Two soil surveys – one from 2002 and the other from 2015 – that had many of the same sites revisited and resampled, were used in conjunction with bivariate linear mixed models (BLMMs) to map soil pH status and change, at five depth increments to 1.2 m depth. The BLMM approach resulted in models with high predictive power and low prediction variance, likely due to the utilisation of the correlation of pH values at co-located sites through time. Results revealed an overall acidification trend throughout the soil profile, particularly in the subsoil. Test statistics were performed on this predicted acidification, showing that not all of this was statistically significant. This trend of decreasing pH over time is presumed to be at least partly due to management practices associated with irrigated cotton production, but also appears to be affected by increased water flow through the profile due to periods of very high rainfall. While acidification in the highly alkaline soils that cover much of the study area is of no great concern at this time, further acidification should be monitored. Further investigation into utilising the correlation from other co-located soil information should also be considered, such as different soil depths and soil properties in combination with the different time points used in this study.

Seed Dispersal Distances by Ants Increase in Response to Anthropogenic Disturbances in Australian Roadside Environments

Ants provide a common dispersal vector for a variety of plants in many environments through a process known as myrmecochory. The efficacy of this dispersal mechanism can largely determine the ability of species to track changes in habitat availability caused by ongoing land-use and associated disturbances, and can be critical for population gene flow and persistence. Field studies were conducted in a typical fragmented agricultural landscape in southern NSW, Australia, to investigate the extent to which dispersal services by ants are influenced by anthropogenic disturbances associated with roadwork activities (i.e. soil disturbance as the result of grading of roads). Observational experiments were performed in road segments that were divided into disturbed and non-disturbed zones, where Acacia pycnantha seeds were offered at multiple bait stations and monitored. For combined species, the mean dispersal distance recorded in the disturbed zone (12.2m) was almost double that recorded in the non-disturbed zone (5.4m) for all roadside sites. Our findings show that myrmecochory is an unevenly diffuse mutualism, where few ant species contributed to much of the dispersal of seeds. Iridomyrmex purpureus was responsible for all seed dispersal distances > 17m, where a maximum of 120m in disturbed, versus 69m in non-disturbed zones, was recorded. Rhytidoponera metallica and Melophorus bruneus were important seed dispersers in non-disturbed and disturbed zones, respectively. In general, large bodied ants tended to move more seeds to longer distances in disturbed zones, as opposed to non-disturbed zones, where smaller bodied species carried out a greater percentage of short distance dispersals (< 1m). We also recorded secondary dispersal events from nests by I. purpureus, a phenomenon previously not quantified. Infrequent, long distance dispersal to suitable sites may be highly important for seedling recruitment in disturbed or modified habitats in otherwise highly fragmented rural environments.

The trophic role of a large marine predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier

Tiger sharks were sampled off the western (Ningaloo Reef, Shark Bay) and eastern (the Great Barrier Reef; GBR, Queensland and New South Wales; NSW) coastlines of Australia. Multiple tissues were collected from each shark to investigate the effects of location, size and sex of sharks on δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes among these locations. Isotopic composition of sharks sampled in reef and seagrass habitats (Shark Bay, GBR) reflected seagrass-based food-webs, whereas at Ningaloo Reef analysis revealed a dietary transition between pelagic and seagrass food-webs. In temperate habitats off southern Queensland and NSW coasts, shark diets relied on pelagic food-webs. Tiger sharks occupied roles at the top of food-webs at Shark Bay and on the GBR, but not at Ningaloo Reef or off the coast of NSW. Composition of δ13C in tissues was influenced by body size and sex of sharks, in addition to residency and diet stability. This variability in stable isotopic composition of tissues is likely to be a result of adaptive foraging strategies that allow these sharks to exploit multiple shelf and offshore habitats. The trophic role of tiger sharks is therefore both context- and habitat-dependent, consistent with a generalist, opportunistic diet at the population level.

Co-operative working in aged care: The Cooperative for Healthy Ageing Research and Teaching Project.

The objective of this study was to describe the partnership mechanisms that supported teaching and research in aged care, in one of the 16 funded projects under the auspices of the Teaching and Research in Aged Care Service project. Located in ACT and southern NSW, the Co-operative for Healthy Ageing Research and Teaching (CHART) was comprised of eleven partners from the residential care sector, higher education, and hospital and non-government sectors. A descriptive study of the project engagement and partnership processes and outcomes using documentation review and stakeholder interviews. The overarching goal of the CHART project was to facilitate the development of aged care service models that combine teaching, learning and research. This study describes (i) the processes and investment required to enable care providers to partner in teaching and research activities; and (ii) the structure and practices required to build workforce capacity and create career pathways in the sector. Maintaining consistency of engagement and collaboration required significant, and often invisible, investment in partnership arrangements. Overall, the partnerships were often person, rather than organisation, dependent. New student placements were introduced, but support for continued nursing placements remained variable. Local practice innovation was advanced when partnership investment was aligned at strategic and operational levels. Continuous, and often invisible, investment in maintaining operational partnerships is critical to sustained change. Partnering in a private aged care service environment to achieve sector-wide changes was challenging, but the investment can result in innovation and service improvement.

Soil temperature and soil water potential under thin oxodegradable plastic film impact on cotton crop establishment and yield

Field experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of oxodegradable thin film on cotton establishment and lint yield. It was hypothesised that the use of thin oxodegradable plastic film would increase soil temperature and conserve seedbed water possibly reducing the risk in early planting, while not reducing lint yield or fibre quality of cotton. Experiments were conducted near Narrabri, NSW Australia during the 2010, 2012–2014 and the 2012 and 2013 seasons near Griffith, a cooler region in southern NSW with three or four thin oxodegradable plastic films with different formulations and break down rates being compared with a bare soil treatment. Planting depth soil temperature and soil water potential was monitored at three hourly intervals. Soil temperatures were elevated by 2–4°C under the film compared with the bare soil that resulted in earlier (2–4 days) emergence of cotton under the film compared with bare soil. Soil also remained wetter beneath the film. Two films began to degrade at the time when cotton seedlings emerged (10–20 days), resulting in greater seedling survival (2–7 vs 12plants/m). Seedlings were unable to penetrate four films on emergence and did not survive. When these films were slit to allow seedling growth, survival depended on subsequent environmental conditions; whether overcast/sunny or cool/warm conditions occurred. Using film that had been slotted prior to being laid in the field also increased soil temperature and conserved seedbed water. This enhanced (50–80%) emergence and survival of emerged seedlings, and overcame the need to slit film in the field.A climate analysis and simulation study was also conducted to determine the benefit or otherwise of thin film and early planting over a longer-term than is possible from field studies. Results for both sites indicated that the earlier the planting date (August/September), compared to a “normal” planting date (October) there was a greater the chance of cold (6.5 vs 2.5 days) and frost (2.5 vs 0 days) being experienced, which resulted in lower or no lint yield. Lint yield tended to be greater (3200 vs 2800kglint/ha), although not significantly so, with thin film compared with bare soil. Fibre quality parameters were not affected by the use of thin film. All surface film had degraded by the end of the season posing no risk of contamination of the lint. Film below ground did remained intact, but this does not pose a contamination risk for the cotton lint at harvest. No plastic film was detected in ginned cotton after being machine harvested at both sites.There was no significant benefit in lint yield due to thin film, while all fibre quality parameters made base grade. Long-term simulation of early planting, with and without thin film, indicated that lint yield was variable with no consistent benefit due to the presence of thin film for the locations simulated. There is still a risk of cold weather or frost occurring when planting early with thin film that growers need to consider. In practical terms it is anticipated that growers would potentially only plant 5% of their area early depending on the seasonal forecast.

Field Evaluation of Cocksfoot, Tall Fescue and Phalaris for Dry Marginal Environments of South‐Eastern Australia. 2. Persistence

AbstractPerennial grasses provide forage and environmental benefits in the agricultural systems of southern Australia, but persistent cultivars are lacking for the lower rainfall inland margins (&lt;600 mm average annual rainfall). Potential new cultivars of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. = syn. Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) have been developed in response to this need. These and older cultivars were evaluated for persistence at five sites in south‐eastern Australia from 2009 to 2013. A wide range in rainfall was experienced, but survival was principally reduced by a severe spring–summer–autumn drought in the final year in which all species began to decline in persistence once the spring 2012 to autumn 2013 cumulative climatic moisture deficit became higher than about 700 mm and declined very severely at deficits over 1000 mm. The highly summer‐dormant cocksfoot ssp. hispanica control cultivar Kasbah showed outstanding survival of this event in the cropping zone of southern New South Wales, but not at the drier of two sites with acidic soils in central Victorian where all cocksfoot cultivars showed similar survival. Potential new summer‐active tall fescue cultivars survived well at the higher rainfall Victorian site and under high rainfall in northern NSW. All tall fescue cultivars experienced high mortality during a period of high moisture stress in the spring of the establishment year in southern NSW, but the Mediterranean cultivar Grasslands Flecha MaxP gradually recovered. Differences among phalaris cultivars were not large with new cultivars of North African origin being marginally more persistent at the drier site in southern NSW. Comparisons with results from the Mediterranean Basin are discussed. Although there was no clear evidence of differences in persistence between the new and old cultivars, some of the new cultivars were considered to show potential for commercial release.

Two new genera and four new species of ampithoids (Amphipoda: Ampithoidae) from southern Australian waters

This paper reports for the first time two new genera (Austrothoe and Paranexes) and four new species (Austrothoe jimlowryi-type species, A. ochos, Paranexes gallaharae, and P. yallingup-type species) of Ampithoidae (Amphipoda). The two new genera (and all four species) have only been recorded from southern Australian waters, in particular, off the coasts of southern WA, VIC, and NSW. Austrothoe can be distinguished from other ampithoid genera by having a denticulated, subrectangular telson and strongly prehensile, almost subchelate pereiopods 6 and 7. Paranexes is distinguished from other ampithoid genera by having the epistome and upper lip directed backwards, and no lateral, distal peduncular projection on the male first uropod. An updated key to the genera of Ampithoidae is also provided, as well as keys to the species within each of the new genera.

Geochemical evidence for provenance of Ordovician cherts in southeastern Australia

Early to Middle Ordovician cherts of the Girilambone and Adaminaby groups are widespread in the Lachlan Orogen in central New South Wales. Their ages are well constrained biostratigraphically by conodonts ranging from the late Tremadocian to earliest Sandbian. Broadly contemporaneous cherts are exposed in the Narooma terrane (latest Cambrian to Darriwilian), and in allochthonous blocks (of late Middle and Late Ordovician age) of the New England Orogen at Port Macquarie. In the Kiandra–Tumut region of southern NSW Darriwilian to earliest Gisbornian cherts are interbedded with volcaniclastics of the Macquarie Volcanic Province. To determine their provenance and compare depositional settings, 60 chert samples representative of these regions were analysed for selected major, trace and rare earth elements (REE). Al2O3/TiO2 ratios enable recognition of two dominant sources from which the sediment fraction of the cherts was derived at different times in the evolution of the Tasmanides, one indicative of old continental crust and the other sourced from a juvenile continent or plateau. All cherts analysed, regardless of geological province, carry continental margin signatures demonstrated by high Al2O3/Fe2O3 ratios, LREE enrichment, small negative Ce anomalies, prominent negative Eu anomalies, low total REEs and near-chondritic Y/Ho ratios. The late Cambrian and Early Ordovician Narooma terrane cherts display a clastic component derived chiefly from a juvenile continent or plateau, whereas cherts of the Hermidale and Albury-Bega terranes contain detritus of mixed origin. During the Early to Middle Ordovician magmatic hiatus in the Macquarie Volcanic Province, all cherts regardless of tectonic affiliation incorporate terrigenous detritus solely of Gondwana origin. Upon resumption of magmatism in the Macquarie Volcanic Province, a mixed terrigenous source is recorded in all analysed cherts, before a dominant Gondwana source is re-established in the late Darriwilian for cherts of the Hermidale, Albury-Bega and Kiandra regions.

Effectiveness of Gudair™ vaccine for the control of ovine Johne's disease in flocks vaccinating for at least 5 years.

Examine the prevalence of shedding of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) at least 5 years after starting vaccination with Gudair™ in flocks of varying initial prevalence of ovine Johne's disease (OJD) and identify risk factors for variation in vaccine efficacy. Pooled faecal culture (PFC) was conducted for 41 flocks from southern NSW and Victoria to determine estimates of current OJD prevalence. The data were compared to estimates of prevalence at or prior to commencement of vaccination at least 5 years earlier, based on available serological or PFC tests when vaccination commenced. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify risk factors for differing prevalence levels in 36 of the flocks. Historical data enabled classification of 37 flocks as high (13; 35.1%), medium (10; 27.0%) or low (14; 37.8%) estimated initial OJD prevalence. Results of PFC in 2008-09 identified that 81.1% (30/37) of flocks had detectable shedders, with 48.6% (18/37) flocks still classified as medium or high OJD prevalence, including 50% (7/14) of flocks initially classified as low prevalence. Shedding was not detected in 18.9% (7/37) flocks. Flocks with OJD prevalence exceeding 1% at 5 years or more following the commencement of vaccination were associated with reports of sheep straying and introduction of new sheep. Despite significant declines in estimated OJD prevalence following vaccination for ≥5 years, 81.1% of flocks were shedding Mptb and considered at risk of spreading the disease or suffering recrudescence of losses if vaccination were to cease. Flock managers are advised to persist with vaccination.

In this issue – July 2014

In this issue – <scp>J</scp>uly 2014

The geoarchaeology of a Holocene site on the Woolshed Embankment, Lake George, New South Wales

An extensive scatter of stone artefacts recorded as Site WE-1 on the Woolshed Embankment at the northern end of Lake George in southern NSW has been examined in the light of recent information on the lake’s history. Optical dates show that the core of the embankment formed between ~22,000 and 15,000 ya. Archaeological materials have survived in the overlying deposits, though they have been affected to a degree by repeated cultivation. These archaeological assemblages are now able to be interpreted in the light of a reconstruction (by Fitzsimmons and Barrows [2010]) of the Holocene lake history. The site was used during the mid- to late Holocene, initially during the penultimate high lake stand between 6000 and 2400 ya. The artefact assemblage has been inundated periodically by high lake levels, and potentially mixed by wave action. A silcrete- and backed artefact-rich and bipolar artefact-poor assemblage on part of the site was replaced across the whole site by one that had lower proportions of silcrete and backed artefacts and higher proportions of bipolar artefacts, a pattern similar to that observed in other sites in southeast Australia.

Pinus pinaster and Pinus radiata survival, growth and form on 500–800 mm rainfall sites in southern NSW

SummaryPinus radiata (GF27- and Guadalupe-based intraspecific hybrids) and Pinus pinaster were trialled to examine the potential for commercial deployment on three lower-rainfall sites within the 500–800 mm rainfall zone of New South Wales. All three ex-pasture sites were considered to be dry for P. radiata; two lower-elevation sites to the west of Gundagai being more challenging than a high-elevation site near Bombala. Cuttings and seedlings of genetically improved P. pinaster and P. radiata and a Guadalupe × routine cross seedlot of P. radiata were planted at three stockings (625, 1250 and 1850 stems per hectare (sph)) and were assessed for survival, growth (diameter at breast height, height, volume), form (straightness, malformations, branch size, branch angle) and number of commercially acceptable trees per hectare up to age 8 years.Survival in P. pinaster didn’t decline after minor post-establishment mortality and was not affected by stocking or plant type. In contrast, survival in P. radiata continued to decline over time at 1250 and 1850 sph stockings at the two low-rainfall, low-elevation sites. Guadalupe-based seedlings had better survival than GF27 cuttings, but both present a high risk under dryland or drought conditions.Site and stocking affected growth of the two species differently. P. radiata grew larger than P. pinaster at all sites. The combination of survival and growth resulted in site volume production that increased with stocking and site quality for P. pinaster. P. radiata exhibited a similar pattern but with reduced volume production at higher stockings on the high-quality Bombala site due to poor survival.The form and branching of P. pinaster was better than that of P. radiata on all sites except the high-rainfall Oak Range. Form of P. pinaster cuttings was better than of seedlings. Form and branch size were improved by higher stockings and were worse on higher quality sites for both species. However, branch angle was better for P. radiata than for P. pinaster.P. pinaster was reasonably productive on the best performing of the low-rainfall, lower-elevation sites. Given periods of very low rainfall since the establishment of these trials, the productivity of 6–7 m3 ha–1 y–1 at age 8 years at stocking of 1250–1875 suggests that 12–15 m–3 ha–1 y–1 may be possible when mean annual increment (MAI) peaks at a later age. Although P. radiata growth rate was high, the poor survival and form of GF27, and to a lesser extent the Guadalupe cross, suggest it presents a high risk on these sites. Continued monitoring of the sites is therefore suggested. Further work could look at more drought-resistant taxa of P. radiata.

From the matrix to roadsides and beyond: the role of isolated paddock trees as dispersal points for invasion

AbstractAimVertebrate seed dispersers play an important role in determining the spatial distributions of many plants, yet few studies have examined patterns of dispersal in fragmented rural landscapes. This study investigated the factors that influence the occurrence and density of roadside populations of two vertebrate‐dispersed trees (Brachychiton populneus and Schinus molle) in roadside environments.LocationTemperate woodland in southern NSW, Australia.MethodsGeneralized linear models (GLMs) were used to investigate the factors that influence the occurrence and density of the study species in roadsides. Akaike's information criterion (AIC) was used to determine the relative importance of biophysical, disturbance and landscape variables in predictive models for the two species.ResultsWe identified two significant determinants of the occurrence of B. populneus and S. molle populations in roadsides: (1) the presence of large ‘perch’ trees of non‐target species (predominately Eucalyptus spp.) in roadsides and (2) distance to nearest paddock tree of each target species. These factors were important for both species, but combined to form a stronger predictive model for S. molle than for B. populneus. Factors influencing population density were less clear, although populations of both species tended to be denser on narrow roads.Main conclusionsLarge perch trees were an important predictor of the presence of roadside populations of both species. These results provide criteria to enable roadside managers to either promote native B. populneus, or prevent incursions of exotic S. molle, as desired. Examination of the dispersal pathways for B. populneus and S. molle has revealed that in fragmented agricultural landscapes, isolated paddock trees are able to disperse to nearby roadside environments via frugivore activity. As a result, road networks may provide ‘conduits’ for the movement and potential invasion of vertebrate‐dispersed plant species.

Comparison of tissue blot immunoassay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for virus-testing pulse crops from a South-Eastern Australia survey

A virus survey of field pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba) crops in southern NSW and Victoria in October, 2006, provided the opportunity to compare the diagnostic results of a large number of field samples using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to the accepted reference test of tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA). One hundred unbiased plant samples from each of 21 field pea and three faba bean crops from NSW and ten field pea crops from Victoria were tested for Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), Bean leafroll virus (BLRV) and Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) by TBIA. PSbMV was present at high levels (32–77 %) in 12 out of 21 field pea crops sampled from NSW. BLRV was present at high levels (28–42 %) in faba bean crops from NSW. In Victorian field pea crops, BWYV was most prevalent (4–28 %). Other viruses tested for were present at low incidences or absent. The seed to seedling transmission rate of PSbMV in the field pea seedlots used to sow six of the surveyed NSW pea crops, determined by TBIA, ranged from 0 to 23 % and had a clear effect on the level of PSbMV in the field. Test results for PSbMV and BLRV using TBIA were compared with results using RT-PCR and compared favourably in giving similar estimates of infection incidence and low costs (both less than A$1.00 per sample) for detecting these two viruses. It is concluded that TBIA is the preferred technique to get a precise estimate of infection incidence, while RT-PCR is particularly useful to test bulk samples for the presence of viruses with a low incidence and provides an alternative if antiserum is not available.

Preparing Rural GPs and health services for climate change and extreme weather

Background Rural communities are vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, particularly in Australia. Rural General Practitioners (GPs) are critical to the development of adaptation strategies for climate change. The importance of their role warrants an investigation of their knowledge and recommendations. Aims To determine rural Australian GP attitudes towards climate change and health; and to assess their views on rural health service preparedness and strategies to improve such preparedness. Methodology A descriptive survey of GPs was conducted in Southern NSW via the Murrumbidgee Medicare Local and Coast City Country General Practice Training organizations. Results There were 68 participants. While the majority of respondents agreed with statements supporting climate science and the impact of climate change on health, a proportion did not. A significant proportion of GPs working in RRMA 5-7 identified that they did not think that their health service had the capacity to provide an initial response to an extreme weather event (p=0.01). 61% of participants nominated strengthening health service acute disaster capacity response as a preferred adaptation strategy for improving health service preparedness. A significant number of GPs were more supportive of their role as advocates on general health issues compared to extreme weather events or climate change and health (p&lt;0.01). Older participants were significantly less supportive. 71% preferred a locally based workshop or seminar for professional development and education. Conclusion The study highlights the need to work closely with General Practitioners on the possible health effects of climate change. Findings indicate concern for health service preparedness, particularly in smaller rural communities. Development or communication of disaster response planning is needed.